Let's talk about KATSEYE

International kpop groups have existed since the birth of kpop. This article will compare KATSEYE with other international groups to understand how they became a global phenomenon.

Introduction: What is KATSEYE

KATSEYE is a new global girl group that takes inspiration from kpop culture and styles of promotion. They were created by HYBE and GEFFEN Entertainment, and perform at events based both internationally and in South Korea. Although the group is promoted by a massive Korean entertainment company, their songs are mostly in English, and they try to appeal more to a Western audience.

KATSEYE Members. Source: Elle Singapore

How are KATSEYE Different?

When I first heard of KATSEYE, my mind immediately went to another international kpop group, BLACKSWAN. Although both groups have non-Korean members, KATSEYE seems to be much more popular. One reason for their popularity could be that HYBE is a much bigger company than DR Music, which promotes BLACKSWAN. HYBE’s wealth and access to resources likely allows them to promote KATSEYE in a way that appeals more to to kpop fans as compared to the other group. I also think BLACKSWAN tries to reject their foreign identity by making songs in Korean and almost trying to seem like a “normal” kpop group by performing mainly at events with only domestic kpop groups. However, these are just my theories and there can definitely be factors like the actual quality of music that result in the sharp contrast between the two groups. Feel free to comment your opinions below, as I would love to have a discussion to get a better perspective of the situation.

Blackswan Members. Source: IDOL INSIGHTS

My Opinion on KATSEYE

In the past, I was really against global girl groups because I thought they were an appropriation of kpop. Although there were certain Western groups that sung and danced, like Fifth Harmony, the fact that kpop was so foreign to me in the sense that the idols were all Asian and represented a culture totally opposite to mine is what appealed most to me. When HYBE first announced the auditions for this group, I was shocked because I could not believe they were willing to sacrifice the legacy of domestic kpop for an international group. It seemed like a cash grab and I did not want it to happen. However, as news of Dream Academy (the survival show through which they were formed) and KATSEYE began to air, I started changing my mind about international kpop groups. I think KATSEYE brought back what kpop is all about, which is ironic considering I did not even think of them as a real kpop group at first. While other groups were releasing forgettable songs, KATSEYE came out with Debut and Gnarly, which are actually catchy tracks that brought hundreds of people back into kpop.

Gnarly MV. Source: W Magazine

Moving Forward: The Future of International Girl Groups

Although I think KATSEYE paved the way for global girl (and boy) groups, I honestly hope companies will continue to debut purely Asian groups. I feel like continuing solely on the international route will destroy kpop culture and make it completely Western, eliminating the need for it to be called “kpop” at all.

Otherwise, let me know what you think in the comments section below. I know this is my first article in a while, and I hope you guys can accept my apology for not writing for so long. Thank you.